154 DYSENTERY. 



the discharge should be. frequent, we may not de- 

 spair; but we must not be too sanguine in our expec- 

 tations. There may as yet be more irritation than 

 positive inflammation of the parts; and, while we 

 wish to stop the excessive discharge, we also desire to 

 support the strength ; to sheathe the bowels, and calm 

 the excitement. Opium will answer one of these 

 intentions. Plenty of tolerably thick gruel or starch 

 should be horned down ; as well as thrown up in the 

 form of injections; and with it, every hour, one ounce 

 of opium should be given. The starch will possibly 

 sheathe the coats of the bowels, which, by the pur- 

 gation, have been deprived of their protecting mucus; 

 and, the opium also allaying the irritability, perhaps 

 the purging may gradually stop. If, however, eight- 

 and-forty hours have passed, and the discharge con- 

 tinues as abundant as ever ; or, although it may have 

 decreased, it is voided with pain, and mingled with 

 much slime ; while the mouth is hot; the countenance 

 anxious ; the flanks heave ; the pulse is much acce- 

 lerated, and at the same time small, the case is almost 

 hopeless. Bleeding is never safe where mucous mem- 

 branes are affected ; and here, after purgation, it 

 would be absolute murder. A blister may be applied 

 to the whole extent of the abdomen ; and a sheep-skin 

 to the loins will do no harm. The chief dependence, 

 however, will be placed in sulphuric ether and lauda- 

 num ; two ounces of the latter with three of the 

 former being given every quarter of an hour in three 

 quarters of a pint of cold water. If no marked effect 

 should follow upon three or four doses, the like quan- 

 tities should also be exhibited in the form of injection. 



